Selling Hats in the Public Services Sector

This is the largest market we have covered. The public services sector spans everything from government and politics to schools and local libraries. We will try to cover as many aspects of it as we can to help you increase your promotional sales.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will provide you with extended knowledge of the public services sector as it relates to promotional products. We will also offer tips to help you expand your cap sales into the market.

In this guide, will look at different types of companies within the public services sector so that you can have a better understanding of how to target each aspect of the market.

Education

The education industry is said to be a recession-proof market. In the worst of economic times, after the 2008 crisis, the education market remained steady and even showed considerable growth, all things considered.

Universities

There are 2,618 colleges and universities in the United States, and they are a gold mine of promotional products. Everywhere you look, people are wearing branded hats or sweatshirts, even fanny packs.

Logoed hats make the perfect addition to swag bags, which are given to incoming freshmen and high school seniors.

There are countless collegiate programs that use promotional items as well.

Greek Life

Clubs & Activities

Athletics

Graduate Schools

High Schools

It can be difficult to start working with a new school that you haven’t yet established a rapport with. Referrals from people who have an “in” can do wonders to help you kick-start a working relationship.

Have you worked with a coach previously? Do you know someone on the school board? Break out your old Rolodex and see if you can make any connections. Smaller schools will usually have one buyer or decision maker. Larger schools may have one for each department. Try to schedule a meeting with the principal to discuss the school’s buying behavior.

Life Learning

Education is not synonymous with, blackboards, or teachers. Children are educated about life in many ways and institutions that transcend a classroom.

A well-rounded child will be taught about things like health and social norms through a variety of situations that occur in group activities and shared spaces like gyms, centers, or camps.

Communal Spaces

Communal spaces governed by the Parks and Recreation department include everything from public parks to libraries and museums. Typically, there are very small (if any) fees to use these facilities. For instance, parks are usually free to enter, but public libraries might charge a small annual fee for cardholders. But for the most part, these run off of tax dollars and donations similar to a non-profit business.

Public transit is better for the environment; it is more economically friendly; it can make people feel more emotionally connected to the area. Think about how you can advertise those benefits on a cap for residents and tourists?

I imagine San Franciscans and visitors alike would happily sport a dad hat one of their iconic cable cars embroidered on the front.

If you want more information on selling promotional caps into the public services industry, order a Business Development Kit today!

What other industries would you like to see covered by a future kit or blog series? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Emily Potter

Emily is the Content Marketer for Outdoor Cap Co. She holds an M.A. in AD & PR from the University of Alabama and a B.B.A in Marketing. Emily is an avid Crimson Tide football fan. She has a golden retriever named Opie Winston, and a cat named Tide.